Relationships Among Disease, Social Support, and Perceived Health

A Lifespan Approach

Bibliographic Data

ID11054553
AuthorsJustin E Heinze (0000-0002-5205-8795, University of Michigan SPH 1, 1415 Washington Heights 48109 Ann Arbor MI USA, corresponding author), D J Kruger (0000-0002-2757-7016, University of Michigan SPH 1, 1415 Washington Heights 48109 Ann Arbor MI USA), Thomas M Reischl (0000-0001-9700-8612, University of Michigan SPH 1, 1415 Washington Heights 48109 Ann Arbor MI USA), Suzanne Cupal (University of Michigan SPH 1, 1415 Washington Heights 48109 Ann Arbor MI USA), Marc A Zimmerman (0000-0001-5064-4259, University of Michigan SPH 1, 1415 Washington Heights 48109 Ann Arbor MI USA)
Year2015
Volume56
Issue3-4
Pages268-279
Publication date2015-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Community Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0091-0562 • E-ISSN: 1573-2770
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1007/s10464-015-9758-3
PMID26462808
OpenAlexW1917296817
LanguageEN
Citations received21
References cited57

We examined the relationship between the cumulative presence of major disease (cancer, stroke, diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension), social support, and self‐reported general and emotional well‐being in a community representative sample of predominantly White and African American respondents ( N = 1349). Across all ages, greater presence of disease predicted poorer reported general health, and predicted lower emotional well‐being for respondents 40 and above. In contrast, social support predicted better‐reported general and emotional well‐being. We predicted that different types of social support (blood relatives, children, friends, community members) would be relatively more important for health in different age groups based on a lifespan or life stage model. This hypothesis was supported; across all ages, social support was related to better reported general and emotional health, but sources of support differed by age. Broadly, those in younger age groups tended to list familial members as their strongest sources of support, whereas older group members listed their friends and community members. As a whole, social support mediated the effect of disease on reported well‐being, however, moderated mediation by type of support was not significant. The results are consistent with a lifespan approach to changing social ties throughout the life course

Developmental psychology · Disease · Health psychology · Mediation · Public health · Social support · Aging and Gerontology Research · Clinical Psychology · Demography · Health disparities and outcomes · Medicine · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction · Psychology · Social Psychology · Gerontology